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From Heaven With Love
he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.”
Isaiah 27:5
. Angels of God will contend for that soul with prevailing
power. “Can ... the captives of a tyrant be rescued? ... I will contend
with those who contend with you, and I will save your children.”
Isaiah 49:24, 25
, RSV.
While the congregation in the synagogue were still spellbound,
Jesus withdrew to the home of Peter for a little rest. But here also
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a shadow had fallen. The mother of Peter’s wife lay sick, stricken
with a “great fever.” Jesus rebuked the disease, and the sufferer arose
and ministered to the Master and His disciples.
Tidings of the work of Christ spread rapidly throughout Caper-
naum. For fear of the rabbis, the people dared not come for healing
on the Sabbath; but no sooner had the sun disappeared below the
horizon, than the inhabitants of the city pressed toward the hum-
ble dwelling that sheltered Jesus. The sick were brought into the
Saviour’s presence.
Hour after hour they came and went, for none could know
whether tomorrow would find the Healer still among them. Never
before had Capernaum witnessed a day like this. The air was filled
with the voice of triumph and shouts of deliverance. The Saviour
rejoiced in His power to restore the sufferers to health and happiness.
It was far into the night when the multitude departed, and silence
settled down on the home of Simon. The long, exciting day was
past, and Jesus sought rest. But while the city was still wrapped in
slumber, “a great while before day, ... [the Saviour] went out, and
departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”
Jesus often dismissed His disciples to visit their homes and rest;
but He gently resisted their efforts to draw Him away from His
labors. All day He toiled, and at eventide or in the early morning,
He went to the mountains for communion with His Father. Often
He passed the entire night in prayer and meditation, returning at
daybreak to His work among the people.
Early in the morning, Peter and his companions came to Jesus,
saying that already the people were seeking Him. The authorities
at Jerusalem were seeking to murder Him; even His own townsmen
had tried to take His life; but at Capernaum He was welcomed with
enthusiasm, and the hopes of the disciples kindled anew. It might
be that among the liberty-loving Galileans were to be found the